That means something isn't working right then. The setting should work perfectly fine. By default the game will hold the couch locks between games.

I am apparently wrong here. I have just played with the settings and it does hold the balls. I must have set it for one player instead of always. Sorry about that.

Are you on ROM v5? Somethings wrong otherwise, it's dropping them because it's doing a ball search?

Edit: Nevermind, I see you figured it out.

This is not normal behavior.

See two posts back.

My TV DMD is garbled at times it works okay. Is this an issue with the display?

I have tried reseeding the ribbon cable in the back of the display. Any thoughts would be great?

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What does everyone use to clean the pad that scores the skill shot comic book guy. When I make the hit, it's not registering. I'm thinking it's a dirty contact. I was thinking of spraying it with Electrical Contact Cleaner but I don't see anyone posting with product. Thanks!

Have you tested the switch in test mode? I doubt it's not working because it's dirty.

Get a business card, put it between the contacts. Hold the contacts closed, pull out business card. Rinse and repeat 2 or 3 times.

Believe it or not, it could be a software bug. This is a known issue that occasionally pops up on some machines. Try doing a full factory reset and see if it fixes the problem.

Electrical contact cleaner... Never.

Use the business card technique above, or file the contacts just a touch if necessary. I'm assuming you don't have a wiring/connection problem. (which is not a great assumption)

it works when you hit it harder.

Just curious why you should never use electrical contact cleaner? Isn't it was it's designed for?

Not for pinball machines. Ever.

Replace the switch. Very easy fix.

Clean it if its dirty lookin
Adjust the gap if the gap is too big so lighter hits to switch register

My problem is that no one says why with facts. I trying to ask why instead of just because.

I think the main problem with contact cleaner is that it often reacts badly with plastic, so it's not really anything you want near a pinball machine with so many plastic parts.

The solvent in aerosol contact cleaner will destroy most playfield plastics, and even the vapors can attack the plastic. It won't happen immediately, but within a few days, cause crazing on the affected plastic. A small jarring will shatter the plastic once it's crazed.

The solvent can also attack certain rubber parts like sling belts and flipper rubber.

Besides all that, contact cleaner won't remove oxide from contacts; only oil and grease. Oxide on the contact tips can only be effectively removed by abrasion like with the business card, or if it's excessive, a contact file - sort of an emery board but very fine grit.

If THAT doesn't quench your thirst for knowledge........

If you are doing a fair amount of restoration work, you should invest in the right tool for the job. A burnishing tool will run you less than $10 and won't overly scratch the contacts like an emery board would. Probably the same price as a can of contact cleaner, but one will last you a lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/GC-Electronics-Fine-Grade-Burnishing/dp/B00B5OK1AO

I still can't figure out my problem with the tv dmd. I'm guessing the display is shot?

Did you reseat the other end of the cable too? Scrambled dmd is usually a cable issue. Could be you have a bad or bent pin too. Look closely at the connection.

Going to go look at a "TSPP" this weekend hopefully joining this club soon. Any tips on what to look for in wear and tear on the game?

Common areas of wear would be the shooter lane, Itchy & Scratchy hole, flipper buttons, start button, and the ramp behind the garage door. Make sure the VUK is working that goes to the upper playfield, as well as the switch that triggers it. Also, check to make sure the couch is releasing the balls properly (one at a time). Lastly, I'd check the I&S drop targets to make sure they are properly dropping when a ball is ejected.

If the couch releases all 3 balls at once what is the likely cause? A bad gap on the end where the coil releases?

...and that the garage door stays up after it opens. Some of them tend to be a bit droopy and fall back down during game play.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/eos-stern-simpsons-pinball-party

Just in case anyone here can help? Specifically even if you just run active switch test and tell me if your left switch is active without you hitting anything ???

Hello all... I just picked up my very own Simpsons Pinball Party (my first machine ever) and I have a potential problem I was hoping somebody could help with. The machine tested out fine at the point of purchase but after getting it home and set up I've had trouble with the couch multiball. The couch doesn't want to hold the balls and just drains them to the lower playfield every time. I've been sure to hit the "light" and "lock" targets before sending the ball to the couch, but neither lights up when hit (bulbs fine... they flash, etc).

The multiball was not working Saturday (the day I brought it home) and Sunday afternoon. Then Sunday night I did notice it engage and hold the balls for a game or two. After that it has not held the balls.

I've restored factory settings, it didn't do anything. I took the glass off and manually hit the light/lock targets - they make a sound but don't light. I pushed on the end of the piston that keeps the balls on the couch and it popped out. I played a game, got 3 balls in the couch and they released with multiball. However, after release I was unable to get the couch to trap balls again in subsequent games.

Any ideas? The place I purchased it from is 1 hr 44 min away and sounds pretty reluctant to make a housecall. Hopefully my descriptions are accurate... as I mentioned this is my first machine so I am very inexperienced in pinball mechanics.

Thanks for any and all advice!

I wouldn't worry about the targets yet. I believe at default setting they are only needed after you complete 1 couch multiball so they wont be active yet. I would do a factory reset and then try it. Other than that I am not sure. Just wanted to point out the targets so you don't go down the wrong rabbit hole.

-Jim

Factory reset didn't do anything. Although I was just playing a game and the couch actually locked the balls. Is there anything special you have to do (gameplay-wise) to get them to lock? I always thought it was hit the lock target in upper playfield and then hit ramp/couch. But 95% of the time the balls dont lock in the couch and drain to the lower playfield.

I also noticed that the last time the multiball actually worked, the couch released all 3 balls at once. I thought they were supposed to come one at a time?

Thanks again for the help.

Is the green lock insert lit when you hit the couch? If not, it releases the ball.

I think I have it figured out... it looks like the white ring that holds the piston that locks the balls is cracked and causing the piston to get stuck in the "release" position. That's why I can manually release it but it won't come back out after retracing again.

I've attached an image below... does that look right (and by that I mean wrong/broken) to you all?

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You might need the couch weld fix:

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1893

That's my guess as well, Twirt, take a good picture of the back of the black couch metal bracket where the coil connects. Is it leaning back at all? The part behind the coil should be 90 degrees coming straight up. If it's not, it's bent, and needs to be bent back, and you need to install the weld fix part behind it. (It's a factory design flaw, nothing to do with your seller) A good picture and we can tell you if you have the fix installed, etc.

I'd change out the coil sleeve, qtip the inside of the coil, polish the rod and do the weld fix.

Here are some pics... if any other angles/shots would help, let me know. Thanks again to you all for helping a rookie.

**EDIT** Now that I finally googled the Weld Fix and what it is, it looks like that is my problem. I've added a pic of the coil, and it looks like the metal behind it is bent back pretty good. I'll order the fix kit... is it easily/possible to install for someone with no experience?

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That last picture shows the problem perfectly, the metal piece behind the coil should be sticking straight up, not leaning back like that. To fix, you need to align the metal plunger back through the white ring sticking forward, remove the orange ramp, bend that bracket behind the coil back to it's normal position, remove the screw behind the bracket that holds down the weld fix, and reinstall that screw with the weld fix, and then reinstall the orange ramp. It's not too big of a job, and the weld fix part resolves the problem 100%.

mavantix is absolutely correct. The coil stop should be at a 90 degree angle to the playfield. Yours is bent backwards. Here's a picture of my game with the weld fix bracket installed ...

TSPP Couch Fix.jpg

Thank you all so much for the help. I'll order the fix today.

Anyone have ideas of my problem with itchy and shooting balls out the incorrect angle. https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/tspp-itchy-doesnt-shoot-the-ball-out-at-the-right-angle

I've heard so much about this game, but never had a chance to play one. Just picked up a one owner HUO(2007 production) that hadn't even had the glass taken off sine it was placed in the basement 9 years ago with just 1300 plays. Can you believe the battery's didn't leak what so ever. I've already replaced them and can't wait to give this one a little tlc.

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Purchased a tspp a few weeks ago, it is in great shape, not too many mods. I really like the led pop so that is probably the first on the list. Last game i bought a kit, but was not thrilled, ended up mostly replacing most to my taste and fixing ghost issues. I am planning on comet leds. Anyone have a bulb list or suggested bulbs to start from? That would be a huge timesaver if so!

I read the other posts and looks like i will need the ocd also! So it begins...

you may not need the OCD board. Comet 2835 bulbs are typically good, definitely in the GI sockets. In my game, I have all non-ghosting bulbs from Cointaker and have zero ghosting issues. I don't have an LED OCD board, but OCD is much more than just ghosting, it is the fade effects. I went for a very long time without LEDs in this game, but I do like it better with them.

Timber and Sparechange...may I ask what you paid for your machines given the low plays?

Don't think anyone addressed you question since your problem is 100% definitely that bent weldment, but yeah - that little white nylon spacer is supposed to be like that.

I'm not sparechange but I'm in the area. I saw a local HUO TSPP ad that I think mentioned that low playcount here on pinside a week(?) or so ago at $4k. A price that made me wish I was still in the market instead of contemplating putting mine up for sale. I'm assuming that's the one, though sparechange would of course have to confirm if they care to.

That's the one, I thought it was priced below market all things considered.

It is.... I bought a good condition (no weld fix, no garage coil upgrade, some lights needed to be fixed, no cliffy, some mods) with horrible cabinet and it was 4,000. I happen to live in an area that prices tend to be 10% what everyone else is paying and if I ship from somewhere else, it basically the same price but I don't see it.

Congrats then. Seems a decent couple hundred or so under market.

Which seems more like it.

Sent you a PM.